San Rafael police looking for PG&E impersonator

Police were on the lookout Saturday for a man who tried to talk his way into a house in San Rafael, telling the resident he was a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. employee and asking to come inside to check the heater.

At about 10:45 a.m. Saturday the suspect, described as a black man wearing a safety-type vest and an identification holder around his neck, knocked on the door of a house in what police described as "a quiet neighborhood" and spent some time trying to convince the resident to let him in.

After he was refused, he drove off in a silver 1998 Mercedes Benz utility vehicle, license 5XYX964. It did not have any PG&E lettering on it, and PG&E officials told investigators they did not have any workers in that neighborhood.

Officers are asking anyone who sees the vehicle or has information about the suspect, described as in his late 30s to 40s, about 5-foot-10 and 225 pounds, to call San Rafael police at 485-3000, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Callers may remain anonymous and could earn a possible reward. Tips may also be made online at www.bayareacrimestoppers.org, or by using the San Rafael Police Department Silent Witness tip form, available at www.srpd.org/tips.